A 64-year-old man was found dead near Granite Mountain this morning by search and rescue teams who had been searching for him since yesterday when he was reported missing while hiking with friends.
The group had been hiking together when the man became separated from the friends he was hiking with. The friends called police around 5 p.m. last night when he did not show up at the trail head.
About 60 search and rescue members from the King County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Everett Mountain Rescue, Olympic Mountain Rescue, Snohomish County Search and Rescue, King County 4×4 Search and Rescue, and King County Guardian 1, searched for the man. He was found in a debris field about 2 miles up the mountain just before 10:30 a.m.
Search members believe he may have been caught in an avalanche because he was found in a debris field consistent with an avalanche having occurred. King County search and rescue leaders said it will take a group of team members about four hours to bring him down the mountain. The man was an experienced hiker and well equipped for the hike.
The King County search and rescue unit have had five search and rescue calls in the last few days. They want to remind people who are backcountry hiking or skiing to be aware of avalanche dangers and to be properly dressed and well equipped to spend the night if necessary.
